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Five basic must-haves

I’ve put together a list of just five things you should buy to always be sartorially prepared. They are the building blocks to the refreshed wardrobe, the pieces that you can mix in with new season must-haves to update your look, the garments that will mean you never truly succumb to the status of fashion victim

Many of us had to wear a white shirt as part of our school uniform back in the day, which could have seriously taken the shine of its sartorial appeal, and yet its continued appearance on the catwalk – teamed with everything from sequinned skirts to tweed trousers – mean that it remains an absolute staple. As something versatile that suits everyone, the buttoned-up white shirt is the perfect quick fix for adding some smartness to all your wardrobe favourites.

More sophisticated than jeans yet practical and easy to wear, pulling on a pair of well-cut black trousers in the morning is a fail-safe option on those days when you just don’t know what to put on. Silk blouses, chunky knits and curve-hugging tops can be inter-changed with ease, meaning that you can change occasion throughout the day with the minimum of fuss.

3. The Colourful Jacket

Una silla para mi bolso

Sure it’s tempting to go for the black option, but that means making more effort with the clothes you’ve got on underneath. Invest in a strikingly hued blazer (making sure it’s a colour that suits you and fits in with the rest of your wardrobe) and all you need to do is throw it on over simple basics to add some fashion flair to your outfit, or even busy prints for some seriously directional style!

Unlike the mini and the maxi, which are quite frankly ageist, the knee length skirt works on most people, particularly in the classic pencil shape which is designed to highlight the good bits and play down the bad ones. They also fit perfectly with most of the trends you’ll see popping up every season in one way or another – florals, monochrome, ladylike and punk to name but four.

Can anyone really remember a time when nautical wasn’t a major driving fashion force? Unlikely, unless they pre-date Coco Chanel, who kick-started the trend by wearing sailor’s Breton tops back in the Twenties. Since then, stripes, particularly of the blue and white, or black and white jailhouse persuasion have become de regieur in the fashion fan’s uniform.